Improved device for holding clothing in trunks



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEVI FLEISOHMAN, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED DE-VICE FOR HOLDING CLOTHING IN TRUNKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,499, dated January27, 1863,

T0 all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, LEVI FLEIseHMAN, of Rochester, in the county ofMonroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Holding Clothes, Snc., in Trunks DuringTransportation; and I do hereby declare that the follow` ing is a fulland exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, making part of this specification.

Figure l is a perspective view of a trunk provided with myimprovements,the lid being raised for showing the interior arrangement; Fig. 2, alongitudinal vertical section of the same with the lid closed; Fig. 3, aperspective view of one of the adjusting-guides detached; Fig. 4, a planof the spread detached.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

It is the object of my improvements to secure clothing, Ste., in trunksin such a manner that they will be retained smoothly in place under allconditions, obviatin g therough usage they are subjected to in beingpacked loosely in the ordinary manner, and consequently avoidingwrinkling and unnecessary wear.

To this end the invention consists in the use of an adjustable bar orbars, extending across the inside of vthe trunk from end to end, or fromside to side, and secured in any desirable position vertically by ameans hereinafter described; and also inconnection with said bar or barsin the use of a spread or cover, intervening with the bar and clothingfor preventing the wear of the latter, and also holding the same morefirmly and evenly in place.

The trunk A may be of ordinary or desirable construction. Across it, onthe inside, either longitudinally or transversely, though preferablylongitudinally, is situated one or more plain straight bars, B, ofproper size for the purpose designed, and made of suitable material,such as iron or wood. If but a single bar is used,it is situated midway,as represented in the drawings, but if more than one are used they aresituated on either side. The clothes to be transported are packedsmoothly beneath the bar or bars, which, being pressed down thereon andsuitably secured, always holds them in place, so that they are immovablein relation to the trunk in any position or condition ofthe latter.

In order to secure the bar suitably in place when the clothes are thuspacked beneath it, and at the same time to allow it'to be adjusted upand down, and to suitably guide it, I prefer the following arrangement:Adjustable guides O C are provided of alength sufficient to reach nearlythe height ofthe inside of the trunk-body, and having a projectingflange, a, of suitable width, in the rear of which is a right-angledbase-piece, b, for securing to the wood. lhe guides are secured,respectively, to the opposite ends of the trunk, and a notch is made ineach end of the bar of corresponding shape to the flange c, over whichit fits, thus sliding up and down on the guides. The flange a isprovided with a set ot vertical adjusting-holes, o c o, in any of whichtits a pin, d, that may be attached to the guide by a string. By thismeans, when the bar B is adj usted to the proper position to hold theclothes in place, the pins d d at the ends thereof are inserted into theholes cc, directly over it, thus preventing it from rising, and securingthe whole firmly. This device allows the bar to be raised or lowered toadapt it to the amount of clothing to be packed in the trunk, and alsoto the condition of the same as the bar can be secured in a horizontalposition or angularly, as necessity may require.

In the use of the bar as above described the wear of the same on thearticles of clothing would be considerable were not something placedbetween them and also the bar, especially if made of iron, would beliable to soil white clothes, and, furthermore, the pressure of the samewould be secured only in the middle, directly under it, while at thesides the contents would not be compact,but restloosely, thus occupyingunnecessary space and being subject to wrinkliug. rIo obviate thesedifculties, and to pack the articles equally and smoothly over the wholespace of the trunk, I employ a spread or cover, D, of a size that willjust till the area of the trunk-body, and usually composed of one ormore thickness of strong cloth, f, having preferably sewed thereintransversely a suitable number of slats or bars, g g, of wood or metal,though any equivalent thereof may be used that will secure a transversestiii'ness, the object being to produce a bearing on the clothing thewhole Width of the trunk bythe central pressure oi the adjustable bar B.By intervening this spread With the bar and clothing the objects abovedescribed are perfectly attained, while the spread, when not in use,occupies but little space.

In packing a trunk full of clothing, if there is danger of the latterslipping or Working loose from the use of but a single bar, additionalbars may be used on the saine guides at suitable distances apart, Withthe articles of clothing between them.

The advantages of this arrangement are too obvious to require furtherexplanation. It is Very simple, cheap, compact, and effective insecuring the object for which it is intended.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

n l. The combination of the adjustable bar or bars B, guides C C,`andpins d d with atrunk or Valise, When they are used in the inside of thesame, for the purpose of packing clothes and holding them duringtransportation, the Whole arranged and operating substantially as hereinset forth.

2. In combination with the bar B, the spread D, constructed and arrangedsubstantially as specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwosubscribing witnesses.

LEVI FLEISCHMAN.

XVitnesses:

J. FRASER, It. F. OsGooD.

